Netflix pick of the month: THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1-2-3

Not the one that’s out now. The real TAKING OF PELHAM 1-2-3 from 1974. It’s hard to believe that Walter Matthau and Denzel Washington would ever play the same role… and Matthau would play it better. But that’s the case here.

Unlike the remake, the original movie (taken from a novel by Morton Freedgood using the alias “John Godey”) was not driven by star power and splashy action sequences. It was a finely-tuned, unpretentious suspense thriller that held your interest every minute… and actually had some great funny lines.

Matthau as the transit authority dispatcher came with a cynical attitude, hardly your typical heroic figure but far more refreshing. Robert Shaw in the John Travolta chief villain role really sold the fact that he was the smartest bad guy ever. To outwit him would be a challenge. Travolta played it like Vinnie Barbarino gone bad.

The original film posed a couple of nifty questions.

How could a frumpy subway dispatcher outsmart a master criminal?

How could the hijackers escape a sealed subway tunnel?

A couple of quick notes: For some reason the movie doesn’t feel dated. I guess dark tunnels haven’t changed much in 25 years. And the four bad guys assume the names of colors (Mr. Green, Mr. Gray, etc.). Sound familiar? Quentin Tarentino lifted that for RESEVOIR DOGS.

The music by David Shire enhances the tension enormously, as does the crisp direction by Joseph Sargent (who cut his teeth directing TV). The screenplay is by Peter Stone, a sensational screenwriter and playwright. (Among his credits: CHARADE and an overlooked little gem, MIRAGE).

So travel back to the days when movies didn’t have to be blockbusters to be successful. When good stories were more important than good buzz. When the leading man could have jowls. Rent THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1-2-3. It’ll be the best subway ride you’ve ever taken.